Alice M. Fay
Alice Magdalene Fay, age 97, of Omro, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, August 4, 2023.
She was born June 8, 1926, in Berlin, WI, to a family with five other sisters and two brothers. Alice was the daughter of a WWI veteran, Maximillian “Max” and Mary Makurat Piotrowski, who was arguably the best cook in Berlin. She was a 1944 graduate of Berlin High School.
While working at Berlin Glove, Alice began a letter writing campaign at the urging of a GI’s sister to Ervin Fay, a WWII army mechanic. On August 24, 1946, they were united in marriage at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Berlin. For the next 77 years they raised a beautiful family of eight children, nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
After raising their family in Berlin, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Omro, Alice and Erv spent the last 44 years on “The Farm” just south of Omro. The big farmhouse allowed many Christmases, Easters, Thanksgivings, family get-togethers, birthdays, anniversaries and bonfire parties. As the years went on, the deck became her favorite spot, giving her hours of pleasure watching over her flowers and greeting visitors with her common question, “Will you water my flowers?”. She was also exceptionally good at making chili without a recipe from any ingredients on hand, and it was always delicious.
Some of Alice’s favorite pastimes were listening to country music, especially Alan Jackson, games of Scrabble, Friday fish fry with a glass of Mogen David and visits from extended family. In their “empty nest” years she always made sure Erv was taken care of, sharing meals, encouraging him to eat more than he should. She liked getting her hair and nails done. At times she could be quite the woman of the world. Holding little babies gave her tremendous joy.
Alice and Erv enjoyed traveling. It all started with their honeymoon in Holland, MI. Later adventures included several trips to Florida and even a visit to Disney World. They toured most of the upper Atlantic seaboard states and parts of Canada. Alice and Erv took in all the sights throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and all the states in between.
Alice was a faithful Catholic all her life, starting at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Berlin and completing her faith life at St. Mary Catholic Church in Omro, serving on the prayer warrior chain and making food for funerals.
Erv will carry on their pastime of watching The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, court room shows, Grit TV and polka parties. Their dog, Brock, will have to do without mom’s mealtime snacks under the table, but surely Erv will keep that tradition going.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to caretakers, Jayna, Tara, Mandy and Megan who gave peace and comfort to their mom’s last years on the farm.
She is survived by her husband, Ervin; four sons, James (Carol) Fay, John (Diane) Fay, Jeffrey (Patty) Fay and Michael (Angie) Fay; two daughters, Mary Schuessler and Patricia (Carl) Wolfgram; nine grandchildren, Stefanie, Benjamin (Jennifer), Adam (Angela), Charles (Amie), Sarah, Ali (Nate), Dominic (Payshence), Michael Jr. and Maxxwell; eleven great-grandchildren, Bailey, Jaydon, Kyra, Mckenna, Haylee, Graydon, Eliana, Chase, Sam, Emmelyn and Scarlett; many nieces, nephews and friends; and her canine companion, Brock. Alice was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Jeannie Fay and Julie Hornung; two brothers, Pauly Piotrowski and Norbert (Rose) Piotrowski; five sisters, Grace (Walter) Honoicki, Lucille (Hubert) Hibicki, Frances (Gene) Bednarek, Rosalie (Glen) Beulen and Florence (Maynard) Bushweiler.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 11, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Omro, Father Joe Mattern and Deacon Paul Vidmar officiating. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Berlin. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 5:45 p.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Visitation will also be on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Jude Hospital, or Shriners Hospital. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Alice Fay, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.